martial arts biography of Helio Gracie

At the age of 17, Helio (pronounced Eh'leeo) first
stepped into the ring in Brazil to face a boxer named Antonio Portugal.
Helio won in 30 seconds.

Helio was the first Jiu-Jitsu master in
the western world to fight a Japanese Jiu-Jitsu master:
Namiki in 1932. This was the first time he wore a gi during a fight.
The fight ended in a draw, giving Helio his first credit as a Jiu-Jitsu master
in Japan.

Another amazing performance of Helio was his brilliant
fight against Kato, world Jiu-Jitsu vice-champion, at Maracana
Stadium which seats 120,000 people. The fight ended in a draw and
Helio asked for a rematch. The second match, held in Ibirapuera
Stadium in Sao Paulo, was a very technical fight. Helio defeated
Kato with a choke hold. His victory brought glory to Brazil and
international recognition to Helio.

Upon defeating Kato, a challenge match was set
between Helio and the world Japanese champion, Masahiko Kimura,
probably the best fighter that Japan has ever produced. This historical
match took place in 1951 and was held in the Maracana Stadium.
At this time, Helio was 42 years old and weighed 63kg, and his
opponent Kimura was 10 years younger than Helio and weighed 100kg.
The 40kg lighter Helio lost after his brother Carlos threw in the
towel.

Throughout his life Helio has had the opportunity
to fight many great fighters including two other well known Japanese
Jiu-Jitsu masters Ono and Massagoishi.

Helio holds the world record for the longest fight
ever: three hours and forty minutes non-stop, with his student
Valdemar Santana.

Helio also challenged boxing greats Primo Carnera
and Ezzard Charles, as well as world champion Joe Louis to matches
to compare styles.p They all declined.

An example of courage and determination, Helio
became a national hero in Brazil. After a lifetime of Jiu-Jitsu,
today at 89, he still teaches the art and has the same determination
to live Jiu-Jitsu as his lifestyle. He is recognized as
the creator of what is today known as Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

HELIO GRACIE PASSES AWAY AT 95
October 1, 1913 - January 28, 2009

SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) — Helio Gracie, one of the main creators of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu that gained worldwide popularity, has died. He was 95. Gracie died Thursday morning, January 28, 2009 and was buried in the afternoon near his home in the mountain resort town of Petropolis near Rio de Janeiro, according to a short statement posted on the Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy Web site. The Agencia Estado news service said he died of pneumonia. Gracie introduced a series of adaptations to traditional Japanese Jiu-Jitsu that emphasized leverage and position as a way to compensate for size differences among opponents. More than 40 sons and grandsons of Gracie and his brother Carlos helped popularize the mixed martial art around the world. One of Gracie's sons, Rorion, was a founder of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, a hugely popular martial-arts combat sport in the United States, where it is seen as a more exciting alternative to boxing and wrestling. Gracie is survived by his wife, Vera and their nine children, Rorion, Relson, Rickson, Rolker, Royler, Royce, Rherica, Robin and Ric. Grandmaster we will miss you!